Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar issued the following statement on April 15, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the irrational decision to increase the price of soybean oil by 14 taka per liter and the gas price for new industries by 33 percent per unit.

“The government's decision to increase the price of soybean oil by 14 taka per liter at the consumer level and to raise the gas price in new industries by 33 percent per unit is completely irrational. As a result of this 33 percent hike, the price of gas in new industries will now rise from 30 taka to 40 taka per unit. This decision by the government has disappointed new industrial entrepreneurs. Since the change of the political phenomenon on August 5, the country’s economy has been experiencing a positive shift, instilling hope among industrial entrepreneurs.

During the previous government's tenure, the lack of an industry-friendly environment hindered the growth of the new industries. Currently, many individuals are taking initiatives to establish new factories. Under such circumstances, the decision to increase gas prices by 33 percent for new industries reflects nothing but the government's lack of foresight. This will discourage and demotivate new entrepreneurs. Therefore, for the sake of the industrial development, the government should withdraw this decision.

On the other hand, the government's decision to raise the price of soybean oil by 14 taka per liter will further increase the suffering of the poor people. Soybean oil is commonly used by low-income groups for cooking. This price hike of gas and cooking oil will also add to the hardship of the general and low-income people. Therefore, the government should immediately retreat from this decision to increase the price of soybean oil.

We strongly urge the government to immediately withdraw this irrational decision to increase the price of gas by 33 percent per unit for the new industries and soybean oil by 14 taka per liter in order to promote the new industries in the country.”